Training scheme to help Black Country workers at risk of redundancy

People who are at risk of redundancy or have been made redundant in the last three months can access funded training through the Skills Support for Redundancy programme, to help them upskill or retrain. In-Comm Training, one of the training providers chosen to carry out the programme in the Black Country, helps more than 2,500 individuals every year to access apprenticeships and training to equip them with skills they can use to retrain and develop new careers.

This new programme gives individuals the opportunity to complete diplomas in Performing Manufacturing Operations, Engineering Operations and Business Improvement Techniques, all of which are fully funded and an accredited qualification taking 12 months to complete through off and on-the-job-training. There are other certified courses that cover a range of engineering or technical management disciplines.

These include an introduction to metrology, reading engineering drawings, CNC programming and basic hydraulics and pneumatics. These courses can be taken over several days.

Bekki Phillips, In-Comm Training’s chief operating officer, said: “We all know how difficult it has been during the pandemic and a lot of people have been made redundant or are at risk of losing their jobs. The Skills Support for Redundancy programme gives individuals access to dedicated training support that will allow them to gain new skills that will be attractive to employers and help make finding new jobs a lot easier. Employees who have received a letter in the last three months saying they are at risk of redundancy can also apply for the scheme, so that they can use the opportunity to upskill, which will add more value to the business if they are able to retain them.”

A wide range of funded training is also available for businesses to upskill existing staff through the Skills Support for Workforce programme. Both programmes are delivered by Serco and are co-financed by the Education & Skills Funding Agency and European Social Fund.

Ms Phillips added: “As we emerge from the pandemic, there will be a lot of challenges and plenty of opportunities too. Companies and individuals will need to be as skilled as possible, and this support will help the Black Country adjust to the new way of working in the best way it can.”

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